On Friday, Dominique Alexander one of the leaders of the July protest in Dallas was sentenced to prison for two years for unrelated probation violations. It’s worth mentioning the protest ended up with five law enforcement officials killed by a sniper. He alleged that the real reason is that he refused to stop the demonstrations. Politics appears to be behind the efforts to revoke his probation.
Prosecutors alleged that Alexander had been treated fairly since he- who founded Next Generation Action Network, which organized the July 7 protest – has been arrested numerous times on warrants that include unpaid traffic tickets, as well, he has violated his probation agreement from a 2009 felony, skipping several meetings with his probation officer.
“Why all of a sudden are we the target?” asked Damon Crenshaw, vice president of the Next Generation Action Network. “We’re not protesting because we’re mad at them. We’re protesting because the problems still exist and they won’t talk to us.”
What happened on July 7?
Next Generation Action Network organized a protest on July 7 in Dallas in a demonstration against police brutality towards black men. Unfortunately, five officers were killed by a sniper. The Police described the men as the “guardians” of the democracy and as the protectors of the freedom.
As well, President Obama praised the slain law-enforcement officers, highlighting they died defending essential constitutional rights. But since the protest, the police department has moved to silence. Police Chief David Brown has refused to meet with demonstrators and police officers were told to ticket protestors who block highways and traffic.
Additionally, the Dallas police department has denied access to necessary information about the slayings of July, including details about the autopsies and weapons used that could help to know if the friendly fire hit the men. And now, a Dallas County judge is sending Alexander, one of the most visible demonstrators, two years in prison.
“They try to hush and silence people,” he said. “It would be a failure to the lives lost if we don’t continue. The issues still exist, and they can act like they want to heal, but then they ignore the issues.”
Therefore, it all seems to be a way to reduce protests in Dallas. It is important to remember that Dallas has a history of discouraging and blocking the way to protesters. In 2011, during Occupy Dallas demonstrations, the protesters had to pay a $1 million insurance. In 2013, the city cited an old law prohibiting holding signs within 75 feet of main roadways, to obstruct the protests against the opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. As well, the city introduced a law prohibiting protests on overpasses and other areas near highways.
Alexander’s criminal history
Alexander has a criminal history that includes convictions for forging a check, evading police and theft. He was on probation for causing an injury to a 2-year-old child since 2009. Alexander assured that he didn’t injure the child and said he pleaded guilty because he couldn’t afford a good attorney. Regarding this new situation, Alexander stated that the 2-year sentence is political, but affirmed that the demonstrations wouldn’t stop.
“No new crime has been committed to warrant this kind of action,” said Kim Cole, one of Alexander’s attorneys. “And the timing does appear suspicious.” He also said that alexander would probably be eligible for parole in six months or less.
Source: ABC News